The Jan. Climate review and Feb. preview for SE CO is hot off the press from the NWS Pueblo #codrought #cowx

January of 2013 was a relatively cold and dry month across the state, save for portions of southwest Colorado, which saw above normal precipitation thanks to two storm systems which brought 1 to 3 inches of snow water equivalent to the Continental Divide at the end of the month. The following graphics depict departures from normal for both temperatures and precipitation experienced across the state over the past month.

After a very cold start to the month, in which the average temperature through January 18th was an amazing 18 degrees below normal, Alamosa was finally able to break stubborn inversions and warmed up through the last week of the month. With that said, the average temperature for the entire month came in at 4.6 degrees, which is 11.7 degrees below normal. This makes January of 2013 the 5th coldest on record in Alamosa, well behind the average temperature of 1.4 degrees recorded in January of 1992. Alamosa received 0.07 inches of precipitation and 1 inch of snow through the month of January, which is 0.19 inches and 3 inches below normal, respectively.

The average temperature in Colorado Springs through the month of January was 30.3 degrees, which is 0.2 degrees below normal. Colorado Springs received 0.18 inches of precipitation and 3.2 inches of snow through the month of January, which is 0.14 inches and 2.4 inches below normal, respectively.

The average temperature in Pueblo through the month of January was 29.4 degrees, which is 1.1 degrees below normal. Pueblo received 0.21 inches of precipitation and 3.8 inches of snow through the month of January, which is 0.14 inches and 2.7 inches below normal, respectively.

Looking ahead into February, in Alamosa, the average high and low temperature of 36 degrees and 1 degree on February 1st warms to 45 degrees and 12 degrees, respectively, by the end of the month, with an average monthly temperature of 22.8 degrees. Alamosa averages 0.26 inches of precipitation and 3.8 inches of snow through the month of February.

In Colorado Springs, the average high and low temperature of 43 degrees and 18 degrees on February 1st warms to 48 degrees and 22 degrees, respectively, by the end of the month, with an average monthly temperature of 32.1 degrees. Colorado Springs averages 0.34 inches of precipitation and 4.9 inches of snow through the month of February.

In Pueblo, the average high and low temperature of 48 degrees and 15 degrees, respectively, on February 1st warms to 55 degrees and 21 degrees by the end of the month, with an average monthly temperature of 33.9 degrees. Pueblo averages 0.30 inches of precipitation and 3.8 inches of snow through the month of February.